After corneal transplantation, topical corticosteroids are used to reduce the risk of rejection.

However, the optimal postoperative treatment regimen is unknown. In most cases, a topical steroid is administered for at least 6 months after surgery, but it remains to be determined whether potent steroids offer better protection than weak steroids. Also, the length of the treatment is debated.

Since the use of steroids is not without potential serious ocular side effects, it is of considerable importance to investigate these problems.

The study aims to examine the frequency of rejection episodes after posterior lamellar keratoplasty; specifically comparing a short course of potent steroids versus a long course of weak steroids.

Initial treatment with dexamethasone 6x per day for two weeks, followed by Fluorometholone 4x per day for 2 months, 3x per day for 2 months, 2x per day for 2 months, and finally 1x per day continually during 2 years.

Drug: Weak steroid (Flurolon, Allergan)

Other Name: Flurolon, Allergan

Experimental: Potent steroid

Initially Dexamethasone 6x per day for 2 weeks followed by 4x per day for one month, 3x per day for one month, 2x per day for one month, and finally 1x per day for one month - giving a total of 4,5 months of steroid treatment.

Drug: Potent steroid (Maxidex, Alcon)

Other Name: Maxidex, Alcon

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients treated for primary or secondary corneal endothelial failure at the department of ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

Not fulfilling the above

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01682421